Major airlines are cutting thousands of flights as soaring fuel prices disrupt global operations, with carriers scaling back routes and raising fares to manage costs.
German airline Lufthansa said it will cut around 20,000 short-haul flights across Europe this summer, citing soaring fuel costs that have made many routes “unprofitable.” The announcement comes as jet fuel prices have doubled since the start of the US-Israel conflict with Iran, disrupting supply across the Middle East, according to BBC News.
Lufthansa said the cuts will reduce fuel use by about 40,000 metric tons, with several regional routes suspended and its CityLine service scaled back. Lufthansa also confirmed it is accelerating the retirement of aircraft as part of broader cost-cutting measures.
Other carriers, including Air France-KLM and Delta Air Lines, have also reduced flights or raised fares as they respond to rising operating costs.
The disruption reflects a wider trend in the aviation industry, with carriers worldwide adjusting routes, canceling flights, and increasing fees as fuel costs surge.
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